Wizards finally break into win column, top Raptors

Washington took control in the second quarter and didn't look back, earning a
93-78 victory against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

Nick Young and Rashard Lewis scored 15 points apiece for the Wizards, whose
0-8 start to the season included losses of every kind. They lost by 21 points
to Milwaukee on December 30, were swept in a home-and-home by Boston, got
routed in Orlando, and dropped a 99-96 decision against the Knicks last week
after Carmelo Anthony hit a late three-pointer.

But the Wizards earned their first win of the season by outscoring Toronto
29-14 during the second quarter. The Raptors, coming off Monday's win against
Minnesota, never got back in the game.

Andrea Bargnani scored 22 points to lead Toronto, which led 20-17 after the
first quarter, when the Wizards had scoring trouble. However, Washington
received a spark when Lewis converted a three-point play with 3.7 seconds to
go. It brought Washington within 20-17, and the hosts moved in front when
Andray Blatche and Shelvin Mack opened the second quarter with consecutive
baskets.

Later in the quarter, John Wall and Lewis made back-to-back jumpers to close a
seven-point run, which gave the Wizards a 28-23 edge. They continued to slowly
take control, countering Toronto's runs with greater scoring bursts.

Inside of two minutes left, Washington scored six points to extend its
advantage to 14. Included in the run were two alley-oop dunks by JaVale McGee,
emphatic indicators of the Wizards' success near the basket and in transition
during the second quarter.

They scored 24 of their 29 points in the paint and made 50 percent of their
field goals -- a figure affected by the fact they attempted only one shot from
beyond the arc.

Additionally, Washington scored 15 points off of nine Toronto turnovers and
netted 10 fastbreak points. The Raptors' failed possessions also suppressed
their point total, and the Wizards rolled into halftime with a 46-34 lead.

Washington stayed hot from the floor in the third quarter, making half its
shots, to remain in front. The Wizards carried a 71-52 advantage into the
final period, which they opened with eight points in a row.

The 27-point lead was far too much for Toronto to overcome, and there was no
suspense as the Wizards closed out their first win of the season.

Game Notes

Leandro Barbosa provided 12 points off the Raptors' bench...Eight of the 10
Washington players who saw court time scored at least eight points. Jordan
Crawford had 11 off the bench, including nine in the second quarter.